What Actually Happens When You Get Electrocuted

Summary

This video explains the differences between electric shocks and electrocution, focusing on how electric currents affect the body. While cartoons exaggerate electrocution, real electric shocks are less flashy but can be far more dangerous. The severity of the shock depends on current, voltage, and the body's resistance. Mild shocks may only tingle, but stronger ones can lead to severe burns, muscle contractions, or even stop the heart. It emphasizes the importance of understanding electrical hazards and staying safe, especially around high voltage sources.

Takeaways

• ⚡ Most cases called 'electrocutions' are actually electric shocks, which occur when an electric current runs through the body.
• 💀 The term 'electrocution' combines 'electric' and 'execution,' meaning death by electric shock.
• 🔋 Our bodies are highly responsive to electric currents since they rely on electrical impulses for functions like muscle movement and neuron activity.
• 🔥 Mild electric shocks can cause tingling, while stronger currents can lead to burns, muscle contractions, or even seizures.
• ❗ A current of just 20 milliamps can cause diaphragm paralysis, while 100 milliamps can stop the heart.
• 📱 Your phone charger carries more than 100 milliamps, but it's not dangerous because the amount of current entering your body depends on voltage and body resistance.
• 💧 Wet or damaged skin reduces resistance to electric current, making shocks more dangerous.
• ⚠️ High voltage (over 500 volts) can penetrate the skin’s resistance and deliver dangerous currents, potentially stopping the heart.
• ❤️ Defibrillators use controlled high voltage (about 3000 volts) to reset an irregular heartbeat.
• 🚫 Even low voltage sources like household outlets can be dangerous if conditions like wet skin are present, hence safety precautions are essential.

Q & A

What is the difference between an electric shock and electrocution?

An electric shock is when an electric current passes through a body, while electrocution refers to death caused by an electric shock. The word 'electrocution' combines 'electric' and 'execution,' indicating its lethal nature.

How does the body naturally respond to electric currents?

The body uses small electric pulses generated by ions crossing cell membranes to trigger neurons, which control muscles and allow us to move and function. However, a stronger current can overstimulate tissues, causing burns, muscle contractions, or even seizures.

What is considered a dangerous level of electric current for the human body?

A current of 20 milliamps can cause someone to lose control of their diaphragm and stop breathing, while 100 milliamps can stop the heart. These levels of current are enough to be fatal.

Why doesn’t touching a phone charger’s live wire usually result in death?

Even though more than 100 milliamps of current run through a phone charger, what matters is how much current enters the body. The body’s resistance, especially from the skin, usually limits the amount of current that actually flows into it.

What factors influence how much electric current enters the body?

Two main factors affect how much current enters the body: voltage, which drives the current, and the body’s resistance to current flow. Skin provides significant resistance, especially when it’s dry and intact.

How does skin resist electric current?

Skin acts as a strong barrier to electrical flow because it’s dry and thick. This high resistance limits the amount of current that can pass through, protecting the body from shocks, unless the voltage is high enough to overcome this resistance.

What happens when the body is exposed to high voltage?

High voltage (above 500 volts) can overcome the skin’s resistance and deliver enough current to cause severe burns, stop the heart, or lead to death. High-voltage shocks are extremely dangerous.

Why can a defibrillator shock the heart back into a normal rhythm?

A defibrillator delivers a carefully targeted, split-second 3000-volt shock to the heart. This shock can stop abnormal heart rhythms and allow the heart muscles to reset and beat normally again.

Why is it more dangerous to use electrical devices when your skin is wet?

Wet or damaged skin has much lower resistance to electric current, making it easier for electricity to flow through the body. This is why using devices like hairdryers in water can be fatal, even at lower voltages like 120 or 230 volts.

What is the typical voltage of household outlets, and why can they still be dangerous?

Household outlets typically deliver about 120 volts in the US and 230 volts in Europe, which are considered low voltage. However, they can still be dangerous if the conditions are right, such as when the skin is wet or damaged, reducing its resistance.